Marla, Kanal and Square Feet: The 47 sq ft Trap
A 10 marla plot is 2,722 sqft in Islamabad and 2,250 sqft in parts of Lahore. Here is why the same words describe different land.
2026-08-05 · Property
Two standards in one country
The official Punjab and Islamabad standard is 272.25 sqft per marla. Some older Lahore housing schemes still use 225 sqft. A 10 marla plot differs by 472 sqft between them — a small bedroom.
Kanal and acre
One kanal is 20 marla (5,445 sqft at the 272.25 standard). Eight kanal make an acre. Farms are quoted in kanal; plots in marla.
Why it matters at purchase
Price per marla hides the difference. Price per square foot exposes it. Ask which standard the seller used, and check the allotment letter rather than the brochure.
The arithmetic
Square feet = marla × 272.25 (or × 225). Square yards = square feet ÷ 9. Square metres = square feet ÷ 10.764.
Is 1 marla 225 or 272 sqft?
Both are in use; 272.25 is the official standard in most of Punjab.
How many sqft is 5 marla?
1,361 at 272.25; 1,125 at 225.
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